The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has alleged that six hotels belonging to the state-owned Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) are being sold to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
In a post shared on social media on Friday, May 17, 2024, the MP indicated that documents he has intercepted show that negotiations to sell 60% of the shares of the six SSNIT hotels to the minister’s Rock City Hotel Limited are far advanced.
The North Tongu legislator pointed out that the sale of state properties to government officials constitutes an abuse of power and should not be allowed to happen.
“Intercepted documents in my possession confirm that SSNIT is far advanced in selling a controlling 60% stake in six of its hotels to Rock City Hotel Limited, owned by Hon. Bryan Acheampong, the MP for Abetifi and Minister for Food and Agriculture.
“Hon. Acheampong is a director and the sole beneficial owner of Rock City Hotel Limited,” the MP wrote.
He added, “The six SSNIT hotels being sold are: Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Busua Beach Resort, and Trust Lodge Hotel.”
Ablakwa disclosed that he has petitioned the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate and stop the minister from acquiring the hotels.
He said the minister’s actions do not only constitute an abuse of power, but also point to a lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism, graft, and a violation of the Constitution of Ghana.
“In my petition, I am inviting CHRAJ to investigate grave matters bordering on conflict of interest, abuse of power, lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism, and graft.
“I have also drawn attention to blatant violations of Articles 78(3) and 98(2) of the 1992 Constitution, as diligent checks from Parliament's Committee on the Office of Profit reveal that Hon. Bryan Acheampong has not applied for and does not have the permission of the Speaker of Parliament to hold an office of profit,” he said.
Read Ablakwa’s post plus his petition below:
As I earlier disclosed on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana programme, I have today successfully petitioned CHRAJ to investigate and stop the sale of SSNIT's hotels to the Hon. Bryan Acheampong.
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) May 17, 2024
Intercepted documents in my possession confirm that SSNIT is far advanced in selling a… pic.twitter.com/Zvcjzctipu
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